Awards, contracts & appointments

06.03.17

South West Trains MD steps down after a year in post

The managing director of South West Trains (SWT), Christian Roth, is preparing to step down from the role after one year in the position. It also marks the end of a decade-long tenure at the rail operator.

Roth joined the company in 2008 having led the UK rail business for Siemens. During his time at SWT, he held the role of fleet director before rising to MD in February 2016, when he replaced Tim Shoveller.

Margaret Kay has now been appointed as Roth’s successor for the remainder of the current franchise – which is set to expire in the summer.

Previously, Kay had garnered a great deal of experience, having worked for Stagecoach as an HR director at SWT, before moving to East Midlands Trains, and then rising to managing director of Supertram in 2012.

Her achievements have also been recognised in the most recent Women in Rail survey when she was named one of the UK rail industry’s most inspirational women.

Tim Bilby, Supertram’s head of Finance and Commercial will fill the position left by Kay as interim managing director of the rail operator.

Tim Shoveller, managing director of Stagecoach Group’s UK Rail Division, commented on Roth relinquishing the role, saying: “I would like to thank Christian for his contribution to the business over the past decade and wish him well for the future.”

Shoveller also voiced his faith in Kay as the new managing director: “Margaret is one of the most talented executives in the UK rail industry and is a tremendous role model and mentor for the next generation of young managers.

He added: “She has real understanding of the fundamental role that our people play in delivering a successful railway for our customers every day. I would also like to congratulate Tim Bilby on his appointment at Stagecoach Supertram.”

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Comments

Pdeaves   06/03/2017 at 15:37

Hmmm, one year in post, barely long enough to make a difference. Franchise coming up for renewal. Jumped or pushed? Only those 'inside' will know. The timing does seem odd when Mr Roth *could* have waited until the natural end date.

Bustler   11/03/2017 at 08:23

I worked with Christian during those 10 years and without doubt he will be a big loss to SWT. One of the few directors to have time to discuss issues and always listened to the views expressed by his team. Believe there were difficulties working with Tim that forced this change. Not sure his replacement is in the same league and clearly not operationally focussed. Expect a bumpy ride for SWT in their last few months of the franchise.

Malcolm Dove   03/12/2017 at 19:36

What the hell is going on with south west trains .left Richmond at1729 its know 1935 and still only at ascot .you are sopose to be running a public transport system we had a better system in the 1960s

Malcolm Dove   04/12/2017 at 11:41

South west trains are joke left Richmond (london)at 1729 could only get as far as Stains before we were to get a bus to Ascot the problem was no busses after a long wait a bus turned up to take use to Ascot witch took for ever .At Ascot there was no train for another 40mins.fainaly arriving at Wokingham 1954 some 60 min late.The other thing at Ascot on tolets working lukely there is a pub by the station with tolets.and the same at Wokingham station locked so no access to tolets. It was not much better going from Wokingham to Richmond yesterday morning.(sunday 3 dec)

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